Song Yihuan looked up and, as expected, met Ji Lingchuan's eyes.
Ji Lingchuan's eyes were as black as obsidian. When he remained expressionless, those eyes were so deep that they sent shivers down one's spine.
Song Yihuan steadied her nerves, her expression unchanged. As told, she opened the wooden box in her hand, took out the porcelain bottle inside, and exclaimed in feigned surprise with a smile,
"Eldest sister loves using the apricot blossom perfume paste from Que Luo Fang and is a regular customer there. Brother - in - law remembers eldest sister's preference. He is really kind to her. Third sister, we're both benefiting from eldest sister's glory."
Song Nanxi, who had been wondering why Ji Lingchuan had sent them perfume paste, suddenly understood upon hearing this.
Song Nanxin's palms were sweating. She secretly praised Song Yihuan for her quick response and immediately thought of a way to deal with the situation. She also smiled subtly and said with an affected touch,
"I didn't expect that the prince would remember that I love using the perfume paste from Que Luo Fang just because I mentioned it casually before. He even went to buy it for me. He is so considerate."
With a hint of curiosity, she opened the lid and took a sniff. Her face showed surprise. "This scent... is it osmanthus?"
Normally, Song Nanxin used the apricot blossom perfume paste from Que Luo Fang and had even applied it before going out today. But in the end, she used it only because Song Yihuan naturally carried the apricot blossom fragrance. The purpose was to dispel Ji Lingchuan's suspicion about the person who served him at night.
Song Nanxin was also extremely anxious. She looked at Song Nanxi and asked, "Third sister, what's the scent of yours?"
Song Nanxi opened the porcelain bottle and took a sniff. "Brother - in - law gave me pear blossom scent. What about you, fourth sister?"
Song Yihuan put the porcelain bottle under her nose and took a sniff. She lowered her eyelashes and said, "It's plum blossom scent."
Three different scents for three people. To others, it seemed quite considerate.
But for Song Nanxin and Song Yihuan, it made their hearts skip a beat.
Could it be that Ji Lingchuan had discovered something?
Mrs. Meng knew the hidden secret between Song Nanxin and Song Yihuan. Moreover, having dealt with the concubines in the mansion for a long time, she immediately sensed something was wrong. She said with a smile,
"This is the prince's first visit to the Marquis Mansion. He may not be very familiar with it yet. This is a rare opportunity. How about having the princess show the prince around the mansion to help him get familiar with the way? What do you think, prince?"
Ji Lingchuan nodded slightly and said, "Sure."
Song Nanxin then casually handed the wooden box in her hand to "Bai Shao" beside her. She rose gracefully and said, "Prince, this way, please."
Ji Lingchuan followed Song Nanxin out of the front hall. Only after their figures completely disappeared did Mrs. Meng say, "Alright, there's nothing for you here. You can all go back to your own yards and rest. Fourth girl, stay. I have something to say to you."
Everyone replied in unison, "Yes," and then left one by one. Even the Marquis of Ding'an got up and left. Only Mrs. Meng and Song Yihuan remained in the front hall.
Song Yihuan knew that her step - mother had left her behind to give her another good scolding.
She sat quietly on the chair, looking up at Mrs. Meng, waiting for her to speak.
Mrs. Meng looked down at this concubine daughter whom she hadn't seen for a while. Her gaze lingered on her increasingly charming face for a while, then she gave a soft snort and said,
"You were quite smart today and knew how to speak for your eldest sister. I've told you before that as long as you obediently help your eldest sister, I'll give you whatever you want."
Her gaze shifted down to Song Yihuan's belly. She frowned and said, "What's wrong with your belly? Why hasn't there been any sign for so long? I'll send someone to invite a doctor to examine you later."
Song Yihuan said, "Some time ago, the princess invited Doctor Zhong from the palace to the mansion to feel my pulse. Doctor Zhong said that my body is fine and it won't affect my future pregnancy."
Mrs. Meng suddenly sat up straight, her voice changing in pitch. "What did you say? Doctor Zhong? Is it that renowned gynecologist Doctor Zhong?"
Her reaction was exactly what Song Yihuan had expected. She sneered inwardly twice and then nodded. "Yes, it's that Doctor Zhong."
"Did he also examine your eldest sister after feeling your pulse?" Mrs. Meng asked eagerly.
Song Yihuan said, "Mother, don't worry. In Doctor Zhong's eyes, I am the 'eldest sister'."
Only then did Mrs. Meng relax. She then noticed that a layer of cold sweat had broken out on her forehead. Fortunately, they had managed to hide it... When she looked up at Song Yihuan again, her expression was much softer than before.
"Will you go back to the Prince Ning's Mansion with your eldest sister today?"
Song Yihuan nodded. "Xuan'er is still in the prince's mansion, and the princess hasn't driven us away. I came back today to get some warm clothes for Xuan'er and me."
Mrs. Meng looked at her deeply. She took out a porcelain bottle and a small booklet from her sleeve and handed them to Song Yihuan.
"This is a fertility medicine I had someone find by every possible means. After you go back, remember to take one pill every time before you serve the prince on behalf of your eldest sister. It will help you get pregnant quickly. And this, learn all the postures in it. They are all helpful for getting pregnant. Once you get pregnant smoothly, your eldest sister and I will surely not treat you and your younger brother badly."
Song Yihuan didn't tell Mrs. Meng that Ji Lingchuan hadn't summoned anyone from Shu Lan Courtyard for a long time. She accepted all the things and got up to curtsy to Mrs. Meng. "Yes, Yihuan will surely follow mother's order."
Mrs. Meng was a bit distracted by the news Song Yihuan had just revealed. Coupled with Song Yihuan's obedience, she didn't make things difficult for Song Yihuan this time. After seeing her accept the things, she waved her hand and let Song Yihuan go.
After walking out of the front hall, Song Yihuan let out a long breath.
She composed herself, then walked forward, holding the box that Ji Lingchuan had just given her, towards the Qinghe Courtyard, her residence in the Marquis Mansion.
Every plant and tree in the Marquis Mansion was very familiar to Song Yihuan, but the memories left in her mind were mostly unpleasant. This made her feel no sense of belonging to this so - called "home".
She and Song Yixuan had stayed in the Prince Ning's Mansion for more than three months. During their absence, no one had visited the Qinghe Courtyard. When Song Yihuan returned to the familiar small courtyard, she found that the weeds in the yard were as tall as half a person, and the vines on the trellis were much denser than before. Only a little sunlight could filter through.
There was a rattan chair in the yard. Song Yihuan walked up to it and gently stroked the dusty chair with her fingers. She let out a soft sigh.
When her mother was still alive, she often sat on this rattan chair to soak up the sun and embroider things for her and her unborn younger brother.
The vines on the trellis were all planted by her mother many years ago.
This small courtyard was filled with the traces of her life with her mother.